A device for the simple and rapid transcervical transfer of mouse embryos eliminates the need for surgery and potential post-operative complications

• Published in: BioTechniques Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 919 - 924
• Main Authors: Green, Michael A, Bass, Shannon, Spear, Brett T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Natick, MA Future Science Ltd 01.11.2009; Eaton; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; chimeric mice; cryopreservation; Diverse techniques; embryo transfer; Embryo Transfer - adverse effects; Embryo Transfer - instrumentation; Embryo Transfer - veterinary; embryonic stem cells; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Molecular and cellular biology; mouse surgery; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Pregnancy; transgenic mice; Embryo transfer; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Surgery; Device; Rodentia; Complication
• ISSN: 0736-6205; 1940-9818
• DOI: 10.2144/000113257

We describe a novel device that can be used for the transcervical transfer of embryos into pseudopregnant female mice. This nonsurgical embryo transfer (NSET) device is as efficient as standard surgical embryo transfer in the production of transgenic mice, and can also be used for the transfer of embryonic stem cell-containing chimeric blastocysts and cryopreserved embryos. In addition to the elimination of surgery, recipient females do not have to be anesthetized. The NSET device eliminates a painful surgical procedure as well as potential complications associated with anesthesia/post-operative care, reduces the technical expertise and equipment needed for surgical transfer, and represents substantial cost savings and regulatory reduction. NSET technology provides an easy and rapid alternative to surgical embryo transfer.